NEGOTIATIONS
On Wednesday February 13 and Thursday February 14 the negotiation teams met once again (the President’s Board Room). The CCA (California Community College Association) was represented by Roger Marheine, Suzanne Anderson, Mabel Duncan, Rod Foster, Danny Hamman, Gil Ramos, Cheryl Beard, and Lisa Adams (CCA Advisor) and the District was represented by Ernestine Moore, Jackie Jacobs, Robert Navarro, Jeanie Nishime, Amy Ulmer and Stuart Wilcox.

District challenges open negotiating sessions
On Tuesday February 12, President John Jacobs sent an open communications to every union member and interested party inviting them to attend all negotiating sessions. This was done at the request of the negotiating team and advisory board. The reasoning behind this decision was that in past years people had little to no knowledge of the process. The Union Board felt that opening up the meetings could only be beneficial to both sides.

The Union Team was shocked and dismayed by the District’s reaction. On February 13, approximately 8 individuals (including one member of the Board of Trustees) came to observe the negotiating session. The Union thought the District would be open to a new positive and open approach to the process. Instead, the observers were forced to wait in the hallway as the District spent a considerable amount of time arguing against opening up the sessions. Their reasoning still remains unclear. Over and over again the District made the argument that they would be hindered from being open and honest at the table. The discussion ended by tabling the topic until a closed session at 3:00 pm on Thursday.

On Thursday February 14, approximately 15 individuals (including one member of the Board of Trustees) wanted to attend the session. The Union Negotiating Team was elated at this turnout. However, like the prior day, these individuals were forced to stand and wait approximately one hour in the hall. After multiple caucuses (meeting of the teams in private), both parties agreed to opening up the negotiations to 10 members of the Union. These 10 members will consist of Division representatives and the negotiating advisory board. After two more negotiating sessions, the Union and the District will re-visit opening the meetings to all interested parties. The Union’s goal is to have a completely open negotiating process where all observers are welcome.

Finally, the Union Team presented the rationale behind its salary increase proposal. Roger Marheine and Danny Hamman discussed the alarming increases in the college’s overall ending balances. Both pointed out that capital outlay has increased significantly while faculty salaries have increased minimally.

*Note that any member of the Board of Trustees may attend negotiating sessions. The District would like to close the meetings to these individuals as well. Ernestine Moore felt that members from the Board of Trustees attending was “inappropriate”. It is imperative that all people who desire an open process e-mail the Board members and attend the Board of Trustees meeting on Wednesday, February 20 at 7:00 pm in the Circadian. Go to www.pro-faculty.net for further details.

District Responds To Community Education Center Proposal
At the February 13 meeting, after much delay because of the District’s resistance to open meetings, the District responded to the Union’s proposal for parity at the Community Education Center. Both sides are close to agreement on this segment of the Union’s package.

*Go to the PCC/CCA website (www.pro-faculty.net) to read the District’s response. You can also contact Mabel Duncan or Danny Hammond through the web if you want to discuss the details of Union’s counter response.

Negotiator Gil Ramos Presents Part-Time Augmentation Plan
On February 13, for the first time in PCC’s history, a part-time faculty member presented a plan for part-time faculty. The District has agreed to the essentials of the augmentation proposal and both sides will work out the details by Monday February 25.

* Go to the PCC/CCA website ( www.pro-faculty.net ) to examine the Union’s proposal on the part-time augmentation funds.

Highlights from Meetings

Wednesday, February 13

Ernestine Moore: (after seeing the audience) Roger, my team hasn’t met yet, we need to caucus. (30 minute caucus)
Ernestine Moore: We need to discuss open meetings without the audience present.

Roger Marheine: Openness is the most exciting change since I have been a member of the union. Total openness represents a greater democracy and a clean slate for both sides.
Stuart Wilcox: I am concerned about grandstanding. Look what happens to congress when the cameras are turned on!
Roger Marheine: Thank goodness there are no politicians in the room, only professional educators. We will not grandstand. Will your team?
Rod Foster: You had a concern at last week’s meeting about accuracy in communications. Open meetings will eliminate this concern.
Roger Marheine: There are far more pluses than minuses in opening the process.

Ernestine Moore: Roger, I know you do not desire to bankrupt the District.
Roger Marheine: Do you have a specific offer?
Ernestine Moore: We are not prepared at this time.

Thursday, February 14

Ernestine Moore: The District feels that observers will hinder the process. However, we understand your position. We propose to open the negotiations to your executive board members plus two union members.
Suzanne Anderson: Why? What is your reasoning?
Jeanie Nishime: I want to be able to be open, and honest.
Roger Marheine: The feedback I have received in one day on open negotiations is more than I ever thought – overwhelmingly positive. This is the most positive thing that the Union has done thus far.

Ernestine Moore: We would like to call in VP Peter Hardash to explain the budget.
Suzanne Anderson: We would like to call in Alan Frye to explain the budget.

Roger Marheine: Do you have a specific number to put on the table?

Ernestine Moore: Not at this time.

Call to Action
February 25 is the next negotiations meeting. Go to the website www.pro-faculty.net and e-mail Dr. Kossler and the Board of Trustees with your response to inaction thus far by the District. You can voice your concerns as well at the Board of Trustees Meeting on February 20 at 7:00 pm in the Circadian.